Like most Indian states, the state of Maharashtra celebrates festivals that are unique and unite the entire country in its celebrations. Schools, universities and most businesses are given a day off for these festivals.
All festivals in Maharashtra are celebrated with abundant enthusiasm. The festivals are a true reflection of Maharashtrian culture, with all its colorful customs, rituals and traditions. The songs, music and dance that accompanies with festive occasion, add joy and excitement. The festivals are a tribute to Maharashtra's rich culture and legacy.
Makar Sankranti
Makar sankranti also known by different names in different parts of India is dedicated to the deity Surya (sun). Marking the end of winter and the beginning of warmer and longer days, it’s usually celebrated by flying colourful kites and exchanging Til-gul (sweets made out of sesame seeds, jaggery or sugar) as tokens of goodwill. Makar Sankranti usually falls in the month of January.
Gudhi Padhwa
Gudhi Padwa is a festival that marks the traditional New Year for Maharashtrian Hindus. It usually falls during March. Gudi is made by tying a piece of fresh cloth around a bamboo stick of about 5 feet long. Mango leaves and garland made of sugar candy or flowers are also placed on it. A silver or copper pot is placed on the bamboo stick. As per Hindu religious beliefs, hoisting Gudi brings luck and good fortune.
Holi
Known as the festival of colors, it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated usually in March. On the eve of the festival, large pyres are lit to signify the burning of evil spirits. People often throw dried leaves, coconuts and twigs into bonfires. On the next day, entire streets and towns turn colorful as people throw colored powder into the air and splash them on each other. Water guns are used to squirt water, while balloons filled with colored water are also flung from rooftops. Puranpoli (traditional sweet dish) is prepared during this occasion and distributed among neighbors and friends.
Ashadhi Ekadashi
The town of Pandharpur in Maharashtra has a special link with Ashadhi Ekadashi. This festival is marked by worshiping Lord Vitthal. It usually falls during June or July, where farmers all over Maharashtra after sowing seeds in their farms, march (Waari) singing prayers and performing events and walking all the way to the temple of Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur. Many devotees observe fast on the occasion.
Narali Pournima/Rakshabandhan
Narali Pournima is observed by fishing communities in Maharashtra particularly around Mumbai and the Konkan coast. The sea is worshiped with rice, flowers and coconuts as offerings for the safety of fishermen in order to start sailing in the seas during monsoon. Coconut delicacies like coconut laddoos, coconut rice and coconut sweets are also relished on this day.
Rakshabandhan (knot of protection), is a belief that the thread of Rakhi has a strong power to hold the affectionate relation of a brother and sister. Sisters tying Rakhis on the wrist of brothers and exchange of gift items are also present there in this festival. These festivals usually fall around July or August.
Pola
Pola is celebrated by farmer communities in the villages usually in August, to acknowledge the importance of bulls, helping to plough their fields so that farmers can sow seeds and earn a living. The bulls are taken to a river and given a nice bath. They are then colored, decorated, studded with ornaments, shawls and garlands. Then they are worshiped and fed good food. Puranpoli and five other vegetables are given as a meal for the day. Most importantly, bulls are given complete rest for the entire day. In the evening, there is a procession in the village with music and dancing.
Janmashtami
It is a festival that falls during August and celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. It is celebrated by fasting, singing, praying together, preparing special food and visiting Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu temples. Dahi Handi(earthen pot of yoghurt) is celebrated after the day of Janmashtami. The festival got this regional name from legend of baby Lord Krishna. In contemporary times, youth form groups, which compete with each other, especially for prize money for this event.
Ganeshotsav
Ganeshotsav or Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most famous 10-day celebrations, celebrating the arrival of Lord Ganesh along with his mother Goddess Gauri. The festival is marked with the installation of Ganesh clay idols privately in homes or publicly. Observations include chanting of Vedic prayers along with fasting. Modak (sweet) are distributed as offering, as it is believed to be a favourite of Lord Ganesh. The festival ends on the tenth day, when the idol is carried in a public procession with music and group chanting, and then immersed in a nearby body of water such as a river or sea. This festival falls during August or September.
Dussehra
Dussehra is a major Hindu festival that is celebrated at the end of Navaratri festival every year usually during September and October. Many people observe Dussehra through prayers and food offerings to the Gods at home or in temples. They also hold outdoor fairs (melas) and large parades with effigies of Ravana (a demon king of ancient Sri Lanka). The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening, indicating the victory of good over evil. This occasion is regarded so auspicious that many people consider starting new businesses, marriages, buying new automobiles during Dussehra.
Diwali
It is a national festival of lights, usually lasting five days and celebrated during late October and November. Clay lamps are light outside the houses to symbolize that light protects from darkness. People create patterns called rangoli on the floor using coloured powders, mouth-watering traditional sweets and snacks are prepared and distributed to each other, lanterns are lit near the windows and people enjoy wearing new clothes and bursting crackers and fireworks.
Besides these festivals, there are also many other festivals which are celebrated throughout the year in Maharashtra and in other states of India.
A visit to Maharashtra would be simply incomplete if one does not experience the following festivals. These festivals are not only rich in culture but also hold the heritage of India’s glorious past.
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